Circuit interrupter



May 5, 1942.y

CIRCUIT INTEIVRRUPTER` Filed Jan. 25, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheetfl May 5, 1942. B. P. BAKER ETAL. 2,282,153

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed Jan. 25, 1941 4 sheets-sheet 2 May 5, 1942 v B. P.' BAKER Erm. 22,282,153:

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER wlTNEssEs; f yINVENTORS Andrew aA/Afem MEM .May 5,1942. B. P. BAKER mL v 2,282,152

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed Jan. 25, 1941 WITNESSES:

?atentedI May 5, 1942 ilNiT-ED STYES PATENT FFICE CIRCUIT INTEBRUPTEE Application January 25, 1941, Serial No. 375.963

(Cl. 20G-448i 23 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in circuit interrupters, and more particularly to circuit interrupters of the iluid blast type suitable for high-voltage, high-power circuits.

In the extinction of high-voltage, high-power arcs more eflicient extinction may be obtained by subjecting a relatively short arc to a iluid blast. Usually the most effective arcing contact separation for arc extinction is too short to provide the necessary insulation following arc extinction and the cessation of the fluid blast.

A series connected disconnect switch, preferably externally arranged, with respect to the interrupting element has been found to provide the extra insulation needed to effectively isolate the two parts of the connected circuit. Even though a disconnect switch provides an effective isolating break, some diillculty has been experienced in maintaining a high dielectric condition in the current interrupting gap without the continuous flow of arc extinguishing iluid on account of sparking across the short interrupting gap.

It is, therefore, an object of our invention to provide a high-voltage, high-power circuit interrupter of the foregoing type employing a. series isolating switch and means for removing the potential from across the current interrupting break upon opening oi the isolating switch.

A more specic object of the invention is directed to the operating mechanism for current interrupters of the aforesaid type arranged to sequentially open the interrupting contacts and the isolating switch and finally short circuit the circuit interrupting break.

A further feature of our invention is directed to the provision of a fluid actuated operating mechanism of compact design for high-voltage circuit interrupters of the fluid blast type. This feature includes arranging the mechanism for operating the contact structure adjacent to the contacts and maintaining it at line potential, whereas the control apparatus for such mechanism is maintained at ground potential.

Another object oi the invention resides in the provision of improved valve means for iiuid blast circuit interrupters for controlling the ow of iluid to the current interrupting break and the contact operating mechanism.

A more specific object of the invention contemplates such improvements in valve mechanism for the control of fluid in circuit inter-1 rupters of the fluid blast type that opening of the interrupter is prevented in the absence of a fluid blast at the interrupting contact structure. The improved valve mechanism also makes provision vfor a positive opening operation of the interrupter arcing contact structure in the event that conilcting opening and closing control impulses are applied to the contact operating mechanism.

Other objects and advantages will appear more fully in the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view showing a circuit interrupter which illustrates our invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in section showing a part of the disconnect switch mechanism of the circuit interrupter;

Fig. 3 is a View partially in section showing the contact operating mechanism of our circuit interrupter;

Fig. 4 is a top view at a reduced scale of the fluid actuated driving means forming a part oi' the contact operating mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the driving means shown in Fig. 4 taken along the line V-V of that figure;

Fig. 6 is a view partially in section of the uid control valve assembly of the circuit interrupter;

Fig. 7 is a view partially in section of the valve assembly shown in Fig. 6, as viewed along the line VII- VII of that gure;

Fig. 8 is a top view at a reduced scale of one of the fluid control valve mechanisms; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the valve mechanism of Fig. 8 taken along the lines Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral Ii indicates a framework which may be formed of. structural steel or other suitable material, Rising from the left-hand side of the framework ii are a plurality of insulators I3, i8 and i1, only the first two of which are shown in Fig. 1 and the latter two of which are shown in Fig. 5. Supported upon the upper `end of the tripod formed by insulators i3, i5 and i1 is a casing i9 for housing an operating mechanism more clearly shown in Fig. 3. The casing i9 supports an insulator 2i which, in turn, supports a circuit interrupting element 23. An insulator 25 similar to insulator 2l extends upwardly from the circuit interrupting element 23 and has a metallic terminal cap 2l on its free end thereof. 'I'he insulator 25 is hollow for the purpose of receiving a stationary contact member 29 which extends downwardly from the terminal cap 21 into the circuit interrupting element 23. A movable contact member 3i coacts with the stationary contact member 29 and extends from the lower end oi the stationary contact through the circuit interrupting element 23 and the insulator 2| which also has a passage therethrough. The lower end of the moving contact 2| extends into the casing |9 and is operatively coupled to the operating mechanism as shown in Fig. 3 and which will hereinafter be more fully described. An electrical connection is made from the lower end of the moving contact 3| by means of a iiexible conductor 33 to a terminal bolt 35 secured to the upper end of the casing i9. A second flexible connection 31 connects the terminal bolt 35 with the switch blade 39 of a disconnect switch generally indicated at 4|. The blade 39 of the disconnect switch 4| is'hlnged at 43 tov the end of an operating arm 45, pivotally mounted upon the casing i9. The right-hand end of the blade 39 makes a high pressure contact with a U-shaped contact Jaw 41 supported from a terminal cap 49 forming a covering of a hollow insulator 5|,

The insulator 5| may be supported from the right-hand end of the frame and serves as a housing for transformers or other suitable instruments necessary for the control of the circuit interrupter. interrupter are made to a terminal 55 carried by the terminal cap 21 and to a terminal 53 carried by terminal cap 49. Thus from the foregoing description, it is apparent that when the interrupter is in the closed circuit position, as shown in Fig. l, a current flow through the interrupter may proceed from the terminal 55. terminal cap 21, stationary contact 29, moving contact 3|. conductor 33, terminal bolt 35, conductor 31, switch blade 39, contact .law 41, terminal cap 49 to the terminal 53. It the moving contact 3| is operated to the open circuit position while the interrupter is carrying a load, an arc will be drawn between the lower end of the stationary contact 29 and the moving contact.

Extinction of this arc may be accomplished by any suitable arc extinguishing means but preferably by an arc extinguisher of the fluid blast type which, for example, may be of the form more clearly shown and claimed in the copending application of L. R. Ludwig and B. P. Baker, Serial No. 373,856, illed January 9, 194i, and assigned to the assignee of this application. Inasmuch as the instant application is not directed per se to the arc extinguishing structure, it is believed that the general designation of an arc extinguishing unit 51 which is supplied with a blast of arc extinguishing fluid, such as compressed air, for example, will be suillcient for the purpose at hand. Movement oi* the movable contact member 3| to open and closed circuit positions in this instance is accomplished by an operating mechanism'housed within the casing i9 as more clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The operating mechanism comprises a main operating lever or rocker arm 59 ilxedly secured intermediate its ends to a shaft 9| which is journaled for rocking movement to the side walls of the casing I9. The lett-hand end of the rocker arm 59 is coupled by a link 93 to the lower end of the moving contact member 3|. The driving force for actuating the rocker arm 59 is obtained from a fluid driven piston 65 operative within a cylinder 81. A connecting rod 99 secured to the piston 55 extends upwardly through the cylinder 61 and has its upper end coupled by a link 1| to the rocker arm 59 at 13, Thus when piston 95 is moved up and down within the cylinder 91, rocker arm 59 will be alternately rocked External circuit connections to the i in a clockwise and then counterclockwise direc-A tion so as to move the contact member 3|, respectively. to closed and open positions.

The right-hand end of rocker arm 59 is coupled by a link 15 to the upper end of a connecting rod 11 which, in turn, is coupled to a piston 19. The piston 19 is operated in a cylinder 9| to provide a shock absorbing mechanism for preventing the moving contact 3| from rebounding, particularly during the circuit closing operation.

A ball check valve 83 is provided at the lower end o! the cylinder 9|, so that as the piston 19 is drawn upwardly Vduring a circuit opening operation a predetermined amount oi.' air will be drawn into the cylinder 9|. It will be apparent that movement o! the contact structure to the closed position will cause the piston 19 to be moved by the rocker arm 59 in the downward direction against a cushion of air contained within the cylinder 9|. Particularly, it highspeed motion is employed in closing the contact 3 I, considerable inertia of the moving parts would have to be overcome at the end of the closing stroke which would have a tendency to cause the moving contact 3| to rebound toward the open circuit position. The cushion of air under the piston 19 thus cushions the shock of the closing stroke and arrests the motion of the moving contact. This cushion of air, however, if not promptly relieved when the contact 3| has reached its fully closed position, will act as a spring and tend to drive the contact 3| to the open position by acting upwardly on the Pistonjt In order to avoid this action, a release valve is provided in the lower side of the cylinder 9| having a stem 91 extending upwardly into the interior of the cylinder 9|, so that when the piston 19 approaches its lowermost position it will engage the stem 91 and open the valve 95 so as to bleed the air compressed under the piston from the cylinder, thereby permitting the contact structure to remain in the closed circuit position.

The operating mechanism within the casing i9 in addition to actuating the moving contact 3i to open and closed circuit positions also operates the switch blade 39 of the disconnect switch 4| in proper sequence. In order to effect operation of the blade 39, the shaft 6| is provided with a crank arm 99, the left-hand end of which is connected to one end of an L-shaped link 9|. end of the link 9| is pivotally connected to a relativelyshort crank arm 93 secured to a shaft 95 journaled within the casing |9.

The shaft 95 extends through the opposite sides of the casing i9 and supports the operating arm 45 of the disconnectvswitch 4|. When the piston 95 in the cylinder 51 is moved downwardly so as to rock the shaft 9| in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, the crank arm 99 will also be rotated in a counterclockwise direction. Movement of the arm 99 in this manner imparts a translatory motion to the link 9| which acts upon the crank arm 93 causing it to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction, and, in turn, rotating the operating arm 45 in a counterclockwise direction.

The pivotal connection of the blade 39 upon the actuating arm 45 is more clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. As shown in this gure. the left-hand end of blade 39 is provided with a hollow portion 91 into which a quadrant like portion 99 oi' the actuating arm 45 extends. The portions 91 and The other azsarss 93 are pivoted to each other by the pin 43. The quadrant member 93 has a guide rod iUI pivoted thereto at |93. The guide rod IllI carries a compression spring and extends through a stop wall |91 in the hollow portion 91. The spring |65 thus bears against the guide rod I0! at its left-hand end and against the stop wall Itl at its right-hand end so as to bias the switch blade 39 in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 43 until a stop portion |09 engages the upper edge of the quadrant member 38.

Now, as more clearly shown in Fig. 1, the actuating arm and the blade 39 form a toggle between the shaft 93 and the jaw contact 41, the knee of the toggle being at the pivot pin 43 which is overcenter with respect to a line passing through the shaft 95 and the right-hand contact engaging end of the blade 39. Rotation of the arm 45 in a counter-clockwise direction will break the toggle at the pin 43 and cause opening oi' the switch as follows: The initial rotary movement oi the actuating arm .i5 in a counterclockwise direction causes the pin 43 to be moved to dead center which in addition to imparting a slight rocking movement to the blade 39 with respect to the contact 41 also causes the blade 39 to move a short distancesubstantially longitudinally to the right with respect to the contact 41. Immediately after pivot pin 43 passes dead center, translatory motion takes place in the opposite direction, which motion, however, is principally longitudinally of the blade and to the left so as to withdraw the right-hand end of the blade 39 from the jaw contact 41.

As soon as the switch blade 33 has been withdrawn from the Jaw contact 41, the spring |05 will cause the switch blade 39 to rotate in a .counterclockwise direction causing it to swing upwardly with a snap action. The switch blade 39 will then be maintained against relative movement with respect to theactuatingarm 45 at all times when the outer end of the switch blade 39 is free from the contact 41.

In the meantime the actuating arm 45 will have assumed its full open position, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, in which position switch blade 39 is caused to engage a contact jaw I II carried by the upper terminal cap 21. In this position of the switch blade 39, an electrical connection is made from the stationary contact member 29, through the Jaw contact III, switch blade 39. flexible conductors 31 and 33 to the movable contact 3|, thereby short circuiting the interrupting gap between these contacts. Movement of the actuating arm 45 and the contact operating rocker arm 59 is so related that the moving contact 3| ls moved to its full open circuit position Just prior to release of the `righthand end of switch blade 39 from the jaw contact 41. In fact, arc extinction within the interrupter 51 is complete prior to the disengagement of the blade 39 from the contact 41. Also, when the switch blade 39 shortcircuits the current interrupting gap between the contacts 29 and 3| all tendency for break down of this gap due to the applied line voltage between the terminals of the interrupter is removed.

sparking due to capacity charging current between the arcing contacts ls thereby avoided without the continuance oi a blast of arc extinguishing fluid. The closing operation oi' the interrupter is effected by moving the piston upwardly and in all other respects the operation of the mechanism takes place in the reverse manner from that previously described lib with the exception that the biasing Spring of the switch blade 39 causes the blade to move rigidly with the operating arm 45 so that even though the blade 38 disengages from its contact III at about the time the moving Contact 3| starts its closing movement, the mechanism is so arranged that the contacts 3| and 29 will engage just prior to engagement of the switch blade 39 with the contact jaw 41. The final closing operation of the interrupter then takes place through the disconnect switch 4I. It is desirable to indicate the position or the moving contact 3| as well as the disconnect switch binde 39 at a point remote from the circuit interrupter. For this purpose an auxiliary switch H3 mounted upon the frame II is employed. This switch may be of usual construction for controlling a signal light circuit and in addition may contain further control elements for controlling the sequence of operation of the several fluid control valves which will hereinafter be more fully described.

The auxiliary switch I I3, as shown more clearly on Figs. l and 6, has an operating arm H5 which is coupled by a rod II1 to a crank arm IIS. The arm II9 is xed to a shaft I2I extending through a portion of a hollow conducting member |23 forming part of the gas blast conducting system which will be hereinafter more fully described.

Extending interiorly of the hollow member |23 and also fixed to the shaft 2| is a crank arm |25. The crank arm |25 has pivoted thereto the lower end of a pull rod |21. The pull rod |21 extends upwardly through the hollow support insulator I3 and into the casing I9 where it is surrounded by another hollow conducting member |29 which joins the upper end of the insulator I3 with the lower end of the hollow insulator 2|. The upper end of the pull rod |21 is fastened to a crank arm I3I carried by a shaft |33 which extends exteriorly of the hollow member |29 and has a second crank arm I35 thereon. This last named crank arm is coupled by'means of a rod |31 to a crank arm |39 rigidly secured to the shaft 6I of the contact operating mechanism. It thus appears'that when the rocker arm 59 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, crank arm |39 will also be rotated in a counterclockwise direction transmitting motion by means of the rod |31 to the crank arms |35 and I3I which will be in the clockwise direction. The clockwise rotation of arm I3I will cause the pull rod |21 to be moved downwardly and effect a clockwise rotation of crank arms |25 and II9 which, in turn, will actuate the switch arm II5.

It will be noted that since the operating mechanism within the housing I9 and the housing itself is maintained at line potential, whereas the auxiliary switch II3 is at ground potential upon the frame II, the pull rod |21 is of insulating material.

In order to maintain rod |21 of dimensions such that it does not materially obstruct the flow of fluid through the insulator I3 and the hollow member |29, a relatively small rod cross section is employed. Owing to the length of the rod |21, considerable whipping action would take place if it were not maintained in tension. A suitable tensioning device is provided by means of a spring I4I (Fig. 6) operative within a guide tube |43 and operatively coupled to a crank arm |45 fixed to the shaft I2I. Thus the shaft I2I is always biased in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, thereby maintaining the pull rod |21 in tension.

Fluid under pressure for extinguishing the arc and also for operating the piston 95 may be stored in a tank |41 mounted within the framework II. Extending from the left-hand end of the tank |41 is a conducting pipe |49 which has mounted thereon and in communication therewith a blast valve mechanism generally indicated at I5I. 'I'he blast valve mechanism I5I communicates with the hollow member |23 previously mentioned and the passage through the hollow support insulator I3. The passage through the insulator I3 com municates by way of the hollow member |29 with the tubular insulator 2l mounted upon the casing I9 and which supports the circuit interrupting unit 23. Thus fluid under pressure from the tank |41 is conducted to the arc extinguisher 51 in the interrupting unit 23 by way of the pipe |49, valve I5I, hollow member |23, insulator I3, hollow member |29 and the tubular insulator 2|.

The blast valve mechanism I5 I, as more clearly shown in Fig. 6, comprises a valve housing |53 having a valve |55 therein, The valve |55 is operated to open and closed positions by a rocker arm |51 carried by a shaft |59 and journaled in the side of the casing |53. 'I'he rocker arm |51 is actuated by a piston |9I operated within a cylinder |63 secured to the valve housing |53. A spring |95 disposed within the cylinder |93 normally biases the piston IGI downwardly and holds the valve |55 closed.

Fluid under pressure is admitted from the lower side of the housing |53 through a passage |61, through an eleetromagneticallyv actuated valve |99 and passage I1I to the cylinder |93 to the lower side of piston IBI. 'I'his causes the piston |9| to be raised against the action of the spring |95 to rock the shaft |59 in a counterclockwise direction so as to open the valve |55, thereby permitting a blast of fluid under pressure to flow through the passages previously mentioned to the arc extinguisher 51. Valve |99 may be controlled by a solenoid |13 from a suitable control source not shown, but which may be conventional and is generally well known in the art'. When the solenoid |13 is deenergized, the control valve |99 is permitted to close, thereby causing the spring |65 to return the piston I 9|, and consequently the valve |55 to the closed position.

Fluid under pressure from the tank |41 is also utilized to actuate the contact operating piston 95 operative within the cylinder 91. For this purpose, the fluid conducting pipe |49 is provided with two branch pipes |15 and |11 (Fig. '7). The pipe |15 leads to an opening valve mechanism generally indicated at |19, whereas the branch conductor |11 leads to a closing valve mechanism generally indicated at I9I.

The fluid under pressure from the valve mechanism |19 is conducted through a pipe |93 which communicates with the lower portion of the tubular insulator I1, as shown in Fig. 1. 'I'he casing of the operating cylinder 91 (Fig. 5) is provided with a passage |95 extending from the upper end thereof from a point normally above the uppermost position of the piston 95, and through the flanged portion |91 at the base thereof. 'I'he passage |95 also communicates with the passage in the insulator I1 through an opening |99 in -the bottom of the casing I9. The closing valve mechanism I9I controls the flow of uid from the pipe |11, through a pipe |9| which communicates with the passage through the insulator I5. The flanged base portion |91 of the operating cylinder 91 has another passage |93 which communicates with the lower side of the cylinder 91 and also with the passage in the insulator I5. through an opening |95 in the bottom of the casing I9, so as to provide a passage to the lower side of the piston 95 for actuating the piston to the closedl circuit position.

Further details of the opening valve mechanism are shown in Fig. 9, in which the reference numeral |91 designates a valve housing having a valve |99 adjacent the lower end thereof. The valve |99 has a stem 20| encircled by a spring 203 for normally holding the valve closed. The valve stem 20| is actuated to the open position by a piston 205 operative within the housing |91 and which has an upper effective pressure reactive area greater than the lower area of the valve |99, so that when the upper side of the piston is subjected to fluid under pressure from the pipe |15, the piston will be moved into engagement with the stem 20| to actuate the valve |99 to the open position.

Fluid under pressure from the pipe |15 is admitted to the upper side of the piston 205, through the passages 201 and 209. Control of the fluid through these passages is obtained by an electromagnetically actuated valve 2| I, including a solenoid 2|3. IUpon opening of the valve |99 fluid under pressure is permitted to flow from the pipe |15 through a port 2I5 in the valve housing |91 which communicates with the pipe I 93.

Fluid under pressure then proceeds through the pipe |99, through the insulator I1, the passage |95 to the upper side of the piston 95 in the operating cylinder 91 so as to actuate the piston 99 to the open circuit position and cause a separation of the contact structure. When the valve 2II is closed. pressure is relieved on top of the piston 205 and the piston is moved to its upper or normal position by a spring 2|1. The piston 205 also has a sleeve 2| 9 secured to the lower side thereof which serves to control a bleed passage 22| disposed in the housing |91. When the piston 205 is in the uppermost position, as shown in Fig. 9. the sleeve 2 I9 uncovers the passage 22 I, thereby connecting the upper side of the operating piston 55 to atmosphere. However, during the initial stages of movement of the piston 205 towards the valve stem 20|, the bleed passage 22| is closed by the sleeve 2 I9, thereby preventing loss of pressure to atmosphere when the valve |99 :pens to admit pressure to the operating cylinder In order to prevent actuation of the opening valve mechanism |19 which would produce an opening operation of the interrupter contacts at such times when failure of the electromagnetic control for the blast valve mechanism I5I has occurred, a mechanical interlock is provided between the valve mechanisms I 5| and |19. 'I'his interlock mechanism is more clearly shown in Figs. 6, 'I and 9.

The shaft |59 carrying the rocker arm |51 has rigidly secured thereto a latch arm 223. This latch arm extends laterally and upwardly with respect to the axis of the shaft |59 and is adapted to engage a rocker arm 225 pivoted about a shaft 221 journaled in a bracket 229 carried by the valve housing |91.

'I'he right-hand end of the rocker arm 225, as viewed in Figs. 6 and 9, is coupled to a connecting rod 23| which extends through theiupper end of the valve housing |91 and is secured to the piston 205. Thus when the piston 205 is in its uppermost position and the blast valve |55 is .to actuate the opening valve mechanism |19 when the electromagnetic control mechanism Vfor the blast valve m. is inoperative, the

-' opening of valve |99 will be prevented. Consequently, the interrupter 'contacts andare e guishing be protected from the burning action of anarcl should .an attempt' be made to open'the circuit when the circuit interrupting blast of iluidis. not available forinterruption.

The closing valve mechanism |3| is generally similar to the openingvalve mechanism |19 and is more fully illustrated in Fig. 7. This mechanism includes a valve housing 233 having a valve 235 operative adjacentthe lower end thereof.

The valve 235 also has a stem 231 that is spring actuated to the closed position. The valve stem 231, however, in this instance has an extension 239, the purpose of which-will appear more fully hereinafter. Actuation .of the valve 235 to the open position is accomplished by a piston 24| able about the extension 239.

Control of fluid under-pressure from the pipe |11 to the top of piston 24| is obtained by an electromagnetically controlled valve 243, includl operative within the valve housing 233 and sliding a solenoid 245. When a closing impulse is received, that is, when solenoid245 is energized.

A valve 243 opens to permit aV flow of fluid under pressure from the pipe `|11`to the upper side of the piston 24| which actuates the piston downwardly against the stem Y231 so as to open the valve 235. Fluid under pressure will then flow from the pipe |11, through a port in the valve `housing 233 (not shown) but which is similar to the port 2|5 in the housing |91Yshown in Fig. 9. This port communicates with the pipe |9| so as to direct iiuid under pressure through the passage in insulator |5 through the passage |93 and iinally to the lower side or the operating piston 65 so as to actuate the interrupter contact mechanism to the closed circuit position. The piston 24| in this instance also controls `a bleed passage 241, through the valve housing 233 for Vthe pur-l pose or connecting the lower side. of the operating .piston 55 .to atmosphere at the end of a closing operation.

In order to prevent failure of the operating mechanism which may be caused by coniiicting control impulses being impressed upon the solenoids 2|3 and 245 which-would normally tend to produce' both opening and closing operations of the interrupter at the same time or in such sequence that one loperation would predominate the l i other, thereby producing the wrong operation, an

interlock is provided between'the opening and closing-valve mechanisms |19 and |8|. For this purpose, the upper end or the valve housing 233 is provided with a cylinder 24,9 into which the extension 239 of the valve stem 231 extends. Operative within the cylinder 249 and slidable about the extension 239 -is a piston 25| normally urged to its lowermost position by a spring 253. Y

'I'he upper end ot the extension 239 is provided with a stop such as a nut and washer arrangement 255, as shown. against which ,thepiston 25| A l may be moved. The lower end of the cylinder The eiiective iluidpressure area of the piston 25| is made larger than the effective iluid pressure area of the piston 24|, so that if the elertrog magnetically actuated valve 243 is opened to admitnuid under pressure to the top of piston 24| tendihg to move the piston downwardly to openV the valve235, the force exerted upon the valveV l5 complete the opening operation.

which time the solenoid 2| 3 of the opening valve mechanism |19. becomes energized. the piston Vwill overcome the force exerted by the piston 24| so as to cause the valve 235 to close which ilnmediately permits a iiuid pressure on the upper side of the operating piston 55 to dominate and move the contact operating mechanism to the open circuit position.

Although we have not shown a specific control circuit for energizing the valve mechanism sole- `noids |13, 2|3 and 245, it will be understood that any Vconventional means may be employed which in conjunction with the usual auxiliary switch, as shown at H3, will the contact operating mechanism to open and closed circuit positions either manually or by full automatic means. It should also be 4understood that the specific description and illustrations contained herein are merely illustrative of our invention and many changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without appended claims.

We claim as our invention as follows: 1. In `a circuit interrupting device, a pair of arcing contacts separable to provide a current interupting break, a pair of switch members conto provide` a current interrupting break, a pair of switch members at least one of which is movable lso-provide an isolating break, means connecting said movable arcing contact with'said movable switch member, and oper-ating means for iirst` actuating` said movable arcing contact and then said movable switch member to the open position, said movable switch member being movable into circuit making relation with said other arcing contact to interconnect said arcing contacts when said movable switch member is in the full open circuit position.

` 3. The combination with a circuit interrupter `in the downward direction will be less than the' torce exerted by the piston 25| 1n the upward direction. Consequently, the valve 235 will remain closed and the valve |99 of the opening mechanism |19 will `function in its normal manner to It also Afollows that in the event the solenoid 245 of the closing valve mechanism |3| is enery sized to perform a closing operation and` during permit operation of departing from the spirit and scope of they having a line terminaba pair of arcing contacts oneoi.' which is connectedto said line terminal and operating means for separating said arclng contacts to provide a current interrupting break, of isolating yswitch means inwseries with said arcing contacts, said switch means including a operating means being maintained at line poten- .'tial, contact position indicating means disposed on said base and maintained atiground potential, and means including `a member orinsulating material operable within said tubulai nsulator for operatively connecting saidcontact ,operatl movable blade lmember and a coacting terminal .gv/ing means and said contact position indicating contact, means for hingedly supporting said blade member upon said circuit interrupter for swinging movement between said terminaly contact and said line terminal, and means for operating said blade member in timed sequence with said arcing contacts.

4. In a switching device, minal members,- a switch blade arranged for movement to alternatelyV engage oneand then the other of said line terminal members, apair of arcing contacts one of which is connected to the iirst line terminal member and the other to said switch blade, said arcing contacts and said switch blade normally providing a series connection between said line terminal members when said switch blade is. in engagement with the second line terminal member, and operating means for first separating said arcing contacts to lntroduce a current interrupting break between said line terminal members and thereafter to move said switch blade into engagement with said iirst line terminal member for introducing an isolating break between the line terminal members and short circuit said arcing contacts.

5. In a circuit interrupter, a support insulator, an arc extinguishing device carried by said insulator, said arc extinguishing device including a line terminal member andV a pair of separable contacts one of which is connected to said line terminal member, a switch blade hingedly carried by said arc extinguishing device and connected to the other of said separable contacts, av second support insulator having a second line terminal member thereon, said switch blade normally engaging said second line terminal member and coacting with said separable contacts to provide a series connection between said line terminal members, `and operating means for first separating said separable contacts to provide a current interrupting break and thereafter move said lswitch blade out of engagement with said second line terminal member to the open circuit position to provide an isolating break in the circuit, said therewith when said switch blade is moved to its full open circuit position so as to remove potentialfrom and then shortcircuit said arc extinguishing device.

6. In a circuit interrupter, separable contact means, operating mechanism for operating said contact means to open and closed positions, support means including at least one tubular insulator for supporting said contact means and said operating mechanism at a predetermined potential above ground, contactl position indicating means maintained at substantially ground potential, and means of insulating material operative within said tubular insulator and actuable by said operating mechanism for actuating said contact position indicating means.

' '1. In a circuit interrupter, a base, a tubular insulator supported upon said base, an arc extinguishing device carried by said insulator, said arc extinguishing device including separable contact means for establishing a current interruptlng break and operating means for actuating said contact means to open and closed positions, said `-a pair of'line ter-w means- 8.'In a circuit interrupter., ofr the Yiluliceiblast` type, separable contact structure Iorestablishing an arc, fluid pressure actuated means for operating said contact structure, operating valve means controlling the supply of fluid underprelh` sure to said operating means, blast valve means for controllingthe supply of arc extinguishing fluid to said contacts, and means dependent upon the position of said blast valve means for-,con-

trolling the operativeness of said operating valve means controlling the supply of fluid to said `operating means.

9; In a circuit interrupter of the uid blast type, separable contact structure for establishing controlling the supply of an extinguishing fluid to said contact structure, and means interlocking said opening valve and `said blastvalve for holding said opening valve closed `until said blast valve is moved toward its open position.

10. In a circuit interrupter of the iiuid blast type, separable contact structure for establishing an arc, operating means for moving said contact structure to open and closed positions, said operating means including a fluid actuated piston, an opening valve for controlling the supply of iiuid to one side.` of said pistonfor opening said contact structure, a. closing valve for controlling the supply 'of fluid to the other side of said Apiston to close said contact structure, a blast valve for controlling the supply of an extinguishing fluid to said contact structure, operating mechanism for opening said blast valveincluding a 'latch member, and operating mechanism for Asaid opening valve including a linkage `arranged'to be latched to said latch member when said blast valve. is closed for preventing movement of `said opening valve operating mechanism to the` open position, said latch memberV being movable in response to` movement of said blast valve to the open position to release said linkage to permit opening of said opening valve.

11. In a circuit interrupter, separable contact structure, operating means for moving said contact structure to open and closed -positions, said operating means including fluid actuated vpiston means, opening valve means for controlling the supply of fluid to one side of said piston means for opening said eontact'structure, closing valve means for controlling the supply of iluid to the other side of said piston means for closing said contact structure, and means responsive to the actuation of said opening valve means to the open position for holding said closing valve vmeans in the closed position.

12. In a circuit'interrupter, separable `contact structure, operating means for moving said contact structure to open and closed positions, said operating means including fluid actuated piston means, opening valve means for controlling the supply of fluid to one side of said piston means for opening said contact structure. closing valve means for controlling the. supply of fluid to the other side of said piston means for closing said contact structure, and pressure responsive means 'associated with said closing valve means operating in 'response to the flow of fluid through said opening valve means for maintaining said closing valve means closed.

13. In a circuit interruptenseparable contact structure, operating means for moving said contact structure to open and closed positions, said operating means including a fluid actuated piston. valve means for controlling the supply of fluid to one side of said piston for opening said contact structure, valve means for controlling the supply of fluid to the other side of said piston for closing said contact structure, pressure actuated means for holding one of said valve means closed, and means operating in response to the `flow of fluid through the other of said valve means for supplying fluid to said pressure actuated means.

14. In a circuit interrupter, separable contact structure, operating means for moving said contact structure to open and closed positions, said operating means including a fluid actuated piston, opening and closing valve means for controlling respectively the supply of fluid to opposite sides of said piston for causing said contact structure to be moved to open and closcd positions, fluid actuated means for controlling each of said valve means, and a second fluid actuated means for providing an additional control' for said closing valve means, said second fluid actuated means being responsive to the flow of fluid through said opening valve means and operative to render said first iluid actuated means for said closing valve means inoperative to open said closing valve means. A

15. In a circuit interrupter, a supporting frame, a tank carried by said frame for storing fluid under pressure, a plurality of tubular insulators supported upon said frame, a current interrupting contact structure and operating mechanism therefor supported upon said insulators, said operating mechanism including fluid pressure actuated piston means, at least two of said insulators having a iluid conducting passage therethrough, means including'said two insulators for conducting fluid from said tank to opposite sides of said piston means for moving said contact structure to open and closed positions, and valve means disposed at ground potential adjacent said tank for controlling the flow of fluid from said tank into said insulators.

16. In a circuit interrupter, a supporting frame, a tank carried by said frame for storing uid under pressure, a plurality of insulators supported upon said frame, a current interrupting contact structure and operating mechanism therefor supported upon said insulators, said operating mechanism including fluid pressure actuated piston means, means including said two insulators for conducting fluid from said tank to opposite sides of said piston means for moving said contact structure to open and closed positions, and valve means disposed at ground potential adjacent said tank for controlling the flow of uid from said tank into said insulators, means for conducting an arc extinguishing blast of fluid from said tank to said contact structure, said last named means including a third of said supporting insulators, and valve means disposed at ground potential between said tank and said ing contact structure and operating mechanismA therefor supported upon said insulators. one of said insulators having a fluid conducting passage therethrough, means including said one insulator for conducting a blast of arc extinguishing fluid from said tank to said contact structure, an auxiliary switch disposed upon said frame, and a linkage operatively coupling said operating mechanism to said auxiliary switch, said linkage including a member of insulating material operative entirely within the fluid conducting passage in said one insulator.

18. In a compressed gas circuit' interrupter, separable contact means, operating mechanism for operating said contact means .to open and closed positions, support means including at least one tubular insulator for supporting said contact means and said operating mechanism at a potential above ground, said tubular insulator including a gas passage connected at its end at ground potential to a source of compressed gas for supplying compressed gas to the part of the circuit interrupter at a potential above ground, and means of insulating material extending through said gas passage and connected to be operated upon movement of said contact means to be responsive at its end at ground potential to said movement.

19. In a compressed gas circuit interrupter, separable contact means, voperating mechanism for operating said contact means to open and closed positions, support means including at least one tubular insulator for supporting said contact means and said operating mechanism at a potential above ground, said tubular insulator including a gas passage connected at its end at ground potential to a source of compressed gas for supplying compressed gas to the part of the circuit intenupter at a potential above ground, means of insulating material extending through said gas passage and connected to be operated upon move- A ment of said contact means to be responsive at its end at ground potential to said movement, and biasing means maintaining said means of insulating material in tension upon movement of said contact means to both open and closed positions.

20. In a circuit interrupter, a supporting frame, a tank carried by said frame for storing fluid under pressure, a plurality of. tubular insulators supported upon said frame, a current interrupting contact structure and a disconnecting switch member and operating mechanism for both said contact structure and disconnecting switch member all supported upon said insulators, said operating mechanism including fluid pressure actuated piston means, at least two of said insulators having a fluid conducting passage therethrough, means including said two insulators for conducting fluid from said tank to opposite sides of said piston means for moving said contact structure and said disconnecting switch member upon said frame, a current interrupting contact structure and a disconnecting switch member and operating' mechanism for both said contact structure and said disconnecting switch member all supported upon said insulators, said operating mechanism including fluid pressure actuated piston means, means including said two insulators for conducting iluid. irom said tank to opposite sides of said piston means for moving said contact structure and said disconnecting switch member to open and closed positions, and valve means disposed at ground potential adjacent said tank for controlling the flow of fluid from said tank into said insulators, means for conducting an arc-extinguishing blast of iiuid from said tank to said contact structure, said last-named means includingA a third of said supporting insulators. and valve means disposed at` ground potential between said tank and said third insulator for controlling the arc-extinguishing blast o f fluid to said contact structure.

22. In a gas blast circuit interrupter, a supporting frame, an insulator supported upon said frame and carrying a disconnecting contact and one line terminal of the circuit interrupter, a plurality of insulators supported upon said frame and spaced from the ilrst said insulator, a second line terminal and a current interrupting contact structure and a disconnecting switch member all mounted on said plurality of insulators, pneu- 'matic operating means for opening and closing ture, control valve meansior said pneumatic operating means also mounted at ground potential,

and said plurality of insulators being used for valve means.

23. In a gas blast circuit interruptor, a supporting frame. an insulator supported upon said frame and carrying a disconnecting contact and one line terminal oi the circuit interrupter, a plurality of insulators supported upon said frame and spaced from the irs't said insulator, a second line terminal and a current interrupting contact structure and a disconnecting switch member all mounted on said plurality of insulators, pneumatic operating means for opening and closing said current interrupting contact structure and for moving said disconnecting switch member into and out of engagement with `the disconnecting contact on the ilrst said insulator, a source of compressed gas and a blast valve on said supporting frame at ground potential and connected to one of said plurality oi' insulators for conducting gas therethrough to extinguish the arc drawn by said current interruptingcontact structure, an opening valve mounted at ground potential and connected to a second of said plurality of insulators to control the ilow of gas therethrough to said pneumatic operating means for opening both said current interrupting contact structure and said disconnecting switch member, and a closing valve mounted at ground potential and connected to a third of said plurality of insulators to control the ilow of gas therethrough to said pneumatic operating means for closing both said current interrupting contact structure and said disconnecting switch member.

BENJAMIN P. BAKER. ANDREW H. BAKKEN.

DISCLAIMER 2,282,153.-Benjam'in P. Baker, Tultle Creek, and Andrew H. Bakken, Edgewood, Pa. CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER. Patent dated May A5, 1942. Disclaimer filed May 27,11944, by the assignee, Vestinghouse Electric db Manufacturing Company. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 11, 12, 13, and 14 of said specication.

[Oficial Gazette June 27, 1944.]

DascLAnMER 2,282,153.Benjamin P. Baker, Turtle Creek, and Andrew H. Bakken, Edgewood, Pa.'- CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER. Patent dated Ma 5, 1942. Disclaimer filed June 23, '1944, by the asgignee, Westinghouse lectric Manufacturing Company. A Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 8 and 9 of said speciqaton.

[Oial Gazette August 15, 1944.]

DISCLAIMER 2,282,153.-Benjamin P. Baker, Tultle Creek, and Andrew H. Bakken, Edgewood, Pa. CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER. Patent dated May 5, 1942. Disclaimer filed May 27,111944, by the assignee, Westinghouse Elecerfic c Manufacturing Company. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 11, 12, 13, and 14 of said specification.

[Oficial Gazette June 27, 1.944.]

DISCLMMER 2,282,153.Benjamzn P. Baker, Turtle Creek, and Andrew H. Bakken, Edgewood, Pa.;4 CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER. Patent dated Ma 5, 1942. Disclaimer filed June 23, '1944, by the assignee, Westinghouse Lectric Manufacturing Company. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 8 and 9 of said specification.

'Gazette Angust 15, 19444.]

DISCLAIMER 2,282,153.-Benjamz'n P. Baker, Tultle Creek, and Andrew H. Bakken, Edgewood, Pa.. CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER. Patent dated May 5, 1942. Disclaimer filed May 27,111944, by the assignee, Westinghmzse Electric cfa Manufacturing Company. i Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 11, 12, 13, and 14 of said specification.

[Oc'ial Gazette June 27, 1.944.]

D l S L A l M E R 2,282,153-Ben'amin P. Baker, Turtle Creek, and Andrew H. Bakken, Edgewood,

mcUI'r INTERRUPTER. Patent dated Ma 5, 1942. Disclaimer` filed June 23, '1944, by the assignee, I/ Vest'inghouse lectric ci: Manufacturing Company.

Hereb'y enters this disclaimer to claims 8 and 9 of said specification.

[Oficial Gazette August 15, 1944.] 

